John Henry Redinger

Born: May 5, 1935

Died: February 11, 2026

John was born May 5th 1935, to Bernard Redinger and Bernadine (Sliger) Redinger in Wallace Idaho. John's father was a miner in the Silver Valley, and his mother was a nurse. A sister Diana joined the family in 1941.

When John's father fell ill, the family moved to the Spokane Valley where they built their family home on East Mission. After his father's death, his mother married Charles Farnham. John attended and graduated from West Valley High School in 1953. One of John's favorite memories while in high school was when he worked at a chicken farm with his best friends, Ed Praxel and Larry Krump. The three best friends shared many adventures.

John served in the US Army in post war Korea as a helicopter mechanic. Upon leaving the military service, John attended Eastern Washington College and graduated with a degree in Education. John married Kirsten Wester September 1962 in Spokane Washington, and they were happily married for over 63 years.

John, along with being a full time teacher and school bus driver, was an Ione Town Council member, a member of the Ione Volunteer Fire Department, and served as a board member of the Ione Ski Club. John worked summers for the Town of Ione, Seattle City Light/Boundary Dam construction, Carnation milk delivery, carpentry jobs, construction of the Ione City Park, and logged hundreds of volunteer hours for his community.

John and Kirsten raised three children… Liz, Colleen, and Hans. The family enjoyed camping during the summers, and downhill skiing and ice skating during the winters.

John was a very active member of the Catholic Church. He kept Saint Bernard Church maintained, lawn mowed, and snow shoveled and plowed for many years.

John started teaching for the newly formed Selkirk School District in 1963, retiring after 30 years of service. He also drove the school bus for Selkirk over 25 years. After retirement, John started a carpentry business called "Bent Nail Construction." He was one of the key carpenters on the Cutter Theater rebuilding efforts.

John enjoyed his family. He was able to watch his grandchildren's and great grandchildren's sports and activities.

Surrounded by family, John peacefully passed at the age of 90 in Redmond, Oregon.

John is survived by his loving wife Kirsten of 63 years, daughter Liz and son-in-law Brad Larson; daughter Colleen and son-in-law Doyle Nickless; son Hans and daughter-in-law Julie Redinger; and grandchildren Molly and Casey, Megan and Justin, David and Hannah, Hannah and Eric, Sarah and

Levi, Graycee; and great grandchildren Mace Jr., Cambria, Tatum, Chancellor, Jaxon, Madison, Charlie, Oliver, Finn, Drexel, Evelyn, and Lincoln.

Proceeded in death by his father Bernard, mother Bernadine, stepfather Charlie, and sister Diana.

Services will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 302 north 8th Avenue in Ione, Washington. Graveside Committal and Military Honor Guard service will be held at 12:00 at the Riverside (Ione) cemetery for family members. Reception to follow at 1:00 at the Catholic Church reception hall in Ione.

The family wishes to convey their sincere gratitude to Bede Jordan and the members of the St. Bernard Catholic church in Ione and the caring communities of north Pend Oreille County.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Cutter Theater and/or The American Legion Kaniksu Post #144 in Metaline Falls. Sherman Campbell Funeral Home in Newport WA is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to visit their website at www.shermancampbell.com to sign the online guestbook

If flowers are your choice to send, please call Floral Traditions (208)-448-2611 or Safeway (509) 447-2506

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